'Einstein' Sparks STEM Initiative

At Einstein in a Box, we take the statement "inquiring minds want to know" to a whole new level. We deliver a project-based learning activity in a uniquely designed package to entice children to play while learning through science, technology, math, and engineering (STEM). A product of Academics in a Box, Einstein in a Box was founded to bring out the "STEMist" in all school-age children through hands-on, fun, project-based learning.

STEM education is imperative to our future and a prosperous America. Many educational organizations and STEM-driven companies agree that America is behind other major countries in teaching and learning STEM. In fact, a focus on STEM was underscored by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in a 2007
report by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Institute for Advance Study Commission on Mathematics and Science Education. The report stated, "The nation's capacity to innovate for economic growth and the ability of American workers to thrive in the global economy depend on a broad foundation of math and science learning, as do our hopes to preserving the vibrant democracy."

Even the White House has taken a role in the forward movement of STEM education. In his 2011 State of the Union address, President Obama emphasized STEM-based education, challenging Americans to get excited about the sciences and math, to "do what's necessary to give every child a chance to succeed." By 2020, the US Dept. of Labor and Statistics predicts that STEM-focused careers will increase from 16% to 62%. President Obama said, "We need to teach our kids that it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair."

This is where Einstein in a Box comes into play, fostering the innovation of our children, beginning in their early informative years, by enticing their innate curiosity and determination through the use of the engineering design process. NASA's example of the Engineering Design Process "involves a series of steps that lead to the development of a new product or system." Educators around the world use varying steps in a design process, but all start with the identification of a problem or asking of a question to a solution or conclusion.

Each month, STEMists receive a subscription box that focuses on a certain theme. The box provides all the supplies necessary to complete the activities, experiments, and design challenges outlined in a custom, subject-specific lab notebook. For example, the "Lunar Launch" box includes balloons, paperclips, tape measure, pencils, lab notebook, a clothespin, scissors, and other necessary items needed to accomplish all of the investigations and engineering design challenge.

The learning doesn't stop with what's in the box. All STEMists get access to "Beyond... in a Box," a unique web portal containing videos and interactive activities to supplement what they are learning through the box projects. Additionally, the monthly box contains bonus supplies exclusively for the activities available through "Beyond... in a Box."

While the investigation activities have step-by-step directions, STEMists won't have detailed directions to complete the Engineering Design Challenge. Instead, they must rely on their critical thinking skills, and what they've learned through the investigation process from the Lab Notebook and online activities. The Engineering Design Challenge is the culmination of the STEMist's learning experience -- the ultimate project where he/she must apply the knowledge gained from that month's activities.

Einstein in a Box inspires critical thinking with the actual doing and experiencing. Though strong STEM education is the future for our children to be competitive in the 21st century, science and art go hand-in-hand. The Einstein in a Box monthly activity encourages children to draw, journal, and think about their engineering design challenges. As engineers incorporate the arts, history, social sciences, and creative and critical thinking with the science, STEMists do the same. I am a firm believer that science and art were never meant to be separated; they must intermingle.

It's our hope that Einstein in a Box will prompt science to once again enter our pop-culture society. We want to bring science back to the NASA Apollo era where children were excited about the prospect of being a scientist, securing America's future through fun STEM education.

— Elaine Hansen, co-founder of Academics in a Box Inc., is a professional educator dedicated to excellence in education through a variety of teaching methods, including an emphasis on STEM.

I like how Einstein in a Box blends science and art activities together through drawing, journaling and critical thinking. To truly have an edge in the global economy, we must have our children develop well-rounded skills in all areas of business.

For some reason I thought this article was going to be about a virtual 3D Einstein teaching kids about STEM. I was wrong but not disappointed as the program is certainly gaining momentum around the globe and spinning-off other initiatives like hacker camps for aspiring coders.

Excellent post Elaine. Very interesting. I agree with your comments wholeheartedly. The future of our economy lies with advancements in technology yet, I certainly agree that a well-rounded individual needs an understanding of the arts. One definitely complements the other. I continue to be appalled at how we have lost our edge when it comes to teaching STEM subjects to middle-school and high school students. There seemingly is no real interest on their part relative to science and technology, at least for some students. I feel it lies in the way the subjects are presented in the classroom environment. Technology can be exciting when coupled with creativity and invention. Kids are naturally creative and teaching must exploit and build upon that fact. Your project seems to address just that and I certainly feel it is one way to regain our "edge". The very best of luck to you. Great post.

It's always good to see this; and, I congratulate others who have the good sense to pursue the best interests of the future through our young. I personally though would like to see educational outreach to the management class and corporatists. Too often we see the rewards going to the most risk-adverse and shortsighted in the management class. These folks need to be educated as well. Given the current health of the planet, I think sooner rather than later!

This does sound like an interesting new educational material resource. It will be very interesting to observe the system's effectiveness as time passes. I look forward to hearing more about this product and it's results in the future.

Interesting article! Calls to the fundamental nature of clear thinking and how it impacts the real-life, day-to-day activities we engage in...like raising our children well. As a parent using science (mechanical engineering) raising elementary school age children I take to heart anything that impacts their future.

I would like to see a great deal more STEM used in articles like this one. for example, in Science the fundamental principles demand that the assumptions are supportable. That is not the case here. The US. Dept. of Labor quoted as a source here reports ~8% unemployment, when it has been statistically verified to actually be between 14% and 22% conservatively. If one thing is wrong, then ALL things related to MATH must be considered wrong, i.e., the numbers of projected STEM-focused careers.

Even if the reported employment numbers are true, these jobs would never be filled by first-generation science students at top wages from the United States, rather, they will be allocated to foreign students via visas for 22 to 40% of US wages...as they have been for the past 40 years.

Nothing occuring in business will alter that fact.

Objectivity (the guiding principle of Science), dictates that founding a direction for children based on the opinions of outside entities is no more supportable than what you have formulated within yourself. The fact is, economically, STEM activities will come from beyond the borders of the United States, just as it has been...I know...cause I did the Math.

What makes this movie stand out from the typical high school sports story is that the teenagers are undocumented immigrants, and the big game is a NASA-sponsored marine robotics competition. Like many other Hollywood movies, however, Spare Parts only tells part of the story. What the film shows -- and doesn’t show -- raises important issues affecting STEM education in the US.

A program to educate kids about the science and technology of plastics as well how they can have future careers in the field has received a $200,000 funding boost from the National Plastics Center to expand

Lots of kids enjoy playing with toy race cars, and some may even dream of being race car drivers when they grow up. NASCAR is taking inspiration from this interest with the launch of an in-school and online learning platform for STEM education, the first ever from the sport of racing.

Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.